Mushtaq Ahmed: “Mohammad Wasim deserves credit for selecting Nauman Ali, who performed really well and took the pressure off Yasir”
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Legendary Pakistan spinner Mushtaq Ahmed believes that Nauman Ali has helped take the pressure off Yasir Shah.
Mushtaq noted that prior to Nauman being called up for the ongoing South Africa Test series, Yasir wasn’t getting the support he needed from the pace bowlers as they weren’t taking wickets.
However, in the first Test against the Proteas in Karachi, Nauman and Yasir took seven wickets each to help Pakistan triumph by seven wickets.
Nauman, who made his debut in the match, took two wickets in the first innings and a five-for in the second, while Yasir claimed three wickets in the first innings and four in the second.
“Yasir Shah did not have much support from the other end, previously, because the fast bowlers, unfortunately, were not taking wickets,” Mushtaq told Cricket Pakistan.
“But Mohammad Wasim deserves credit for selecting Nauman Ali, who performed really well and took the pressure off Yasir. It is similar to how me and Saqlain [Mushtaq] used to complement each other.
“Nauman bowled in a mature manner which was good to see. The regional coaches and people who worked with him deserve all the credit for this.”
Pakistan will now be looking to complete a 2-0 series whitewash in the second Test, which gets underway on Thursday in Rawalpindi.